Using noninvasive brain stimulation to boost behavior therapy for youth with chronic tics
Official title: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Augment Behavior Therapy for Tics
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11247130 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether a gentle brain stimulation technique added to CBIT helps young people with chronic tics gain better tic control.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2020 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $618,376 |
| NIH project number | 5R33MH123754-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11247130 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Youth aged 12 to 21 with chronic tic disorders who are candidates for CBIT and can participate in daily sessions.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience improved tic control despite the combined therapy.
What this research studies
Chronic tics affect many youths and CBIT is a standard therapy, but not all benefit fully. The project will add inhibitory rTMS to CBIT, targeting the SMA brain region involved in tic circuits, to see if it improves tic suppression. Participants will be youths aged 12 to 21 with chronic tics, undergoing 10 daily CBIT sessions plus randomized brain stimulation or sham treatment. The study will measure brain activity and tic suppression ability to identify the best stimulation approach to enhance CBIT response.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could increase the effectiveness of CBIT for youths with chronic tics, leading to better symptom control.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests that inhibitory brain stimulation can modulate tic-related circuits and may augment therapy responses, but this specific combination is being tested in youths.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Conelea, Christine a — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Conelea, Christine a
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.